ACC levy equals 350 years of Govt funds for food in schools

28 May 2013
MEDIA STATEMENTACC levy equals 350 years of Govt
funding for food in schools

The $700 million
overcharging in the ACC levy, admitted by Bill English
today, is a stealth tax that is enough to fund the
Government’s contribution to food in schools for 350
years, says Labour’s Finance spokesperson David
Parker.

“The Government is taking $700 million more than
is needed from New Zealanders through ACC levies over two
years. That’s a stealth tax, pure and simple. They’ve
been advised to reduce it but are still overcharging New
Zealanders.

“That money is enough to cover the
Government’s new role in feeding the kids for 350 years.
That’s how badly Kiwis are being ripped off.

“Bill
English has said that ACC levies should take only the
minimum amount. Yet Kiwis on an average income are being
overcharged around $100 a year in levies. At a time when
people are struggling to the point that we have to fund food
in schools, to take more money than what is necessary is
criminal.

“The Government is using ACC as a political
jelly bean jar, overcharging New Zealanders to fill to the
jar to overflowing in order to dole out lollies in election
year for political advantage.

“This isn’t prudent
financial management, it’s taking directly from New
Zealanders’ back pockets to try to win an election,”
says David
Parker.

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